The Queen is dead. How do those words make you feel?

There is no doubt that we are living through an extraordinary period in history. The UK's monarch has died, something that most of us have never experienced before. And it has been accompanied by rolling news coverage for the first time ever. No doubt most of us will have this week etched in our memories and future generations will learn about it school. But beyond the facts of the situation how are you feeling about it? I know a lot of people who have been surprised at how the news has made them feel. And who have found that their feelings are not at all what they had expected or seem at odds with their usual stance.

My message for you today is that however you are feeling is OK. Especially if those feelings are confusing or different to those around you. You are allowed to feel sad even if you are usually a staunch republican. You are allowed to feel indifferent while others around you are bereft. We must give other people's feelings dignity and respect, but that doesn't mean we have to share them. You are all absolutely entitled to feel your own feelings.

If you are feeling adrift, this exercise might help you tap into how you are really feeling, or just give you some space to sort through confusing emotions.

Use the link below to listen to or download an audio version of the exercise or use the written instructions.

• Start by sitting or lying somewhere comfortable, where you won't be disturbed.
• Place your left hand over your heart and your right hand on your belly.
• Close your eyes.
• First notice the weight and warmth of your hands on your body. Allow that sensation to bring a feeling of being held and of being safe.
• Then notice the rhythms of life under your hands - the way your hands rise and fall as you breathe in and out, maybe feeling your heartbeat or sensations in your belly.
• Now bring your attention to how you are feeling emotionally. Give yourself the permission to feel whatever you are feeling without holding too tightly. Maybe allowing those feelings to wash over you like clouds drifting across the sky.
• Stay like this for as long as feels right to you - it might be 30 seconds or 5 minutes or longer.

Photo by Nick Page on Unsplash